On-loan defender Sam German has made a big impression at Herne Bay and boss Steve Lovell would love to keep him for the season - if he can.

Bay brought German in from National League Bromley in September on a one-month deal.

That loan looks set to be extended for at least another month, with the young prospect having made six starts and a substitute appearance for Isthmian South East Bay.

“We want to sign him again for at least another month,” Lovell confirmed.

“I spoke to him on Saturday and he’s happy to stay. It’s a matter of sorting out the formalities with Bromley.

“Hopefully, we can keep him a bit longer. I would love to have him for the season - but it depends on what Bromley and Sam want to do.”

German is just one of several talented young players with the Winch’s Field outfit.

Lovell added: “Sam is a good lad, he has settled in nicely.

“He’s only a young player. Most of them are. It’s exciting at the moment.

“We’re not going to get carried away - it’s only early in the season - but it’s nice to pick up those wins.

“It’s important we win our home games and pick up some points on the road as well.”

Michael Salako and Gil Carvalho put Lovell’s troops in command against Lancing last weekend and, although they gifted the visitors a goal just before the break, Tom Hanfrey rounded off a 3-1 victory.

“It was a good performance on Saturday,” reflected Lovell.

“The only disappointing thing was we didn’t score more.

“We were never in trouble, really.

“We gifted them a goal just before half-time which gave them a bit of a lift.

“But, overall, it was a good performance.”

Former Tonbridge and Sheppey player Hanfrey has previously worked with Lovell at youth-team level.

Lovell explained: “I have known Tom a long time, going back to when he was a kid at Charlton.

“He has played centre-half and left-back for us and, on Saturday, he played left wing-back. He got in some good positions and put in some good deliveries.

“Tom’s quite flexible with where he can play. He can play along the back-line and on the left-hand side.

“He played well.”

Bay, who visit early-season strugglers Beckenham this Saturday, are in the play-off places in fourth.

With their cup commitments now behind them, the manager is only too happy to focus on league matters.

He said: “We have had a busy couple of months, really, with a lot of cup games.

“Although they’re good for the club, as a manager, I’m not too keen on them.

“It’s a way to pick up injuries and suspensions, which affects the team for the league, which is the most important thing.

“But we have come through that period and it’s now about getting the league games flowing.

“Getting through to Christmas - and seeing where we’re at - that’s the next target.

“The first one is getting to eight to 10 games and we’re doing okay. We still have a lot to improve on - but it’s a new squad.

“They have adapted very well and are getting to understand the way me and Mark (Lovell, his assistant) want to play.”

Bay were knocked out of the Velocity Cup at the Third-Round stage through a 3-2 penalty shoot-out defeat to Isthmian Premier Folkestone on Tuesday.

Midfielder Archie Burnett gave them the lead before Invicta equalised late on in a 1-1 draw. German came through another 90 minutes at Winch’s Field.

Lovell added: “Kane Rowland is still out with an injury. But I think he’s the only one.

“We will need everybody at certain times between now and Christmas.”